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Storyboards

20 min

What is a Storyboard?

A storyboard is a sequence of drawn panels — arranged like a comic strip — that maps out a moving image or animated product shot by shot. Each panel contains a sketch of what the camera should see at that moment, supported by written notes that specify camera details, audio, timing, and transitions. Together, the panels tell the visual story of the production before a single frame is filmed or animated.

The storyboard bridges the gap between a written script and the finished product, translating words into a concrete visual plan that the production team can follow on set or in the studio.

Who Uses a Storyboard?

The storyboard is created by the director or script writer during pre-production, often in collaboration with other creative team members. Its primary users during production are the camera operator, who relies on it to know exactly what shot is required in each scene, and the director, who uses it to maintain a consistent creative vision throughout filming.

The video editor uses it during post-production to understand the intended order and flow of shots when assembling the final cut. On animated productions, the animator uses the storyboard to understand what needs to happen in each scene before any animation work begins.

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